Canterbury continue winning ways in NPC

Above photo: Taranaki's Stephen Perofeta, seen here playing for his club Clifton, scored a try in their loss to Canterbury. Photo by Dave Lintott Photography. 

A clinical Canterbury fended off Taranaki 39-34 on Sunday afternoon to retain their outright lead at the top of the men’s NPC Premiership standings.  

Five days after annexing the Ranfurly Shield, Canterbury all but booked a home semi-final with two matches to come with matches to come against North Harbour and Counties Manukau.

Taranaki took two points from the loss and will end the weekend in second, with two tough matches to come against Wellington and Auckland.  

A strong second half scrum and the ability to absorb pressure and turn a sniff of an opportunity into points were hallmarks of Canterbury’s seventh win in eight matches.  

Captain and No. 8 Luke Whitelock bagged a double, while Taranaki bred second five-eighth Jordie Barrett scored 19 points.  

A close match played in New Plymouth sunshine was on tenterhooks midway through the second half after Taranaki first five-eighth Marty McKenzie had kicked back-to-back penalties to see scored locked up at 24-24.

But Canterbury responded with two tries in five minutes to take them to a 36-24 lead took the game away from the home side. A grandstand finish was in the offering when Taranaki scored again to close the gap, but they ran out of time.  

Earlier, Taranaki had made a furious start, stretching Canterbury out wide. Openside flanker Berny Hall offloaded to left wing Latu Vaeno who crossed the chalk but had a foot in touch. Denied the try on a penalty advantage, McKenzie kicked a penalty to put the Bulls ahead 3-0.   In the same movement, Canterbury lost halfback Alby Mathewson in what appeared to be a serious injury blow.  

McKenzie doubled Taranaki’s lead in the 12th minute with a 45-metre penalty, bringing up his 100th point of the season in the process.  

Jordie Barrett posted first points for the red and blacks after some concerted phase play. Canterbury then made Taranaki pay for McKenzie’s re-start going out on the full, openside flanker Jed Brown making a bustling break up the touchline and passing inside to Mathewson’s replacement, Jack Stratton, in support. Barrett’s conversion was true and all of a sudden Canterbury led 10-6.  

Taranaki built pressure, No. 8 Iopu Iopu-Aso was held up over the line, but hooker Rhys Marshall darted over the whitewash for a converted try to put them back in front 13-10.  

The 30th point of the match was posted in as many minutes of play when Canterbury centre Jack Goodhue made a nice break, setting up a try under the bar to Canterbury No. 8 and captain Luke Whitelock.   

In the 35th minute, referee Jackson consulted TMO Max O’Leary for a punch thrown by Taranaki flanker Mitchell Brown with Taranaki hot on attack.  Brown was sin-binned and Taranaki dodged a bullet.  

Not for long though, a Canterbury kick in play went dead in-goal, Taranaki were awarded an attacking scrum on their 22 and powerful No. 8 Iopu-Aso burst 20 metres to score. The 14-man Taranaki went into halftime leading 18-17.  

Barrett kick-started the second half with a try for Canterbury, stepping inside Taranaki opposite Sean Wainui and racing to the line from an attacking scrum in prime position. Barrett converted his own try to put the red and blacks in front 24-18 as Brown returned from the bin.  

In the 51st minute, Iopu-Aso knocked on over the line in the corner after a 12-phase raid up and into Canterbury’s 22.  

Still with possession and territory, McKenzie kicked a penalty to close the gap to 21-24.  McKenzie kicked another penalty from almost the same position, locking up the contest at 24-24 with 20 minutes to play.  

Mckenzie saved a try holding up flanker Reed Prinsep over the line after a penalty and attacking lineout. 

But the red and blacks weren’t to be denied a second time, No. 8 Whitelock scoring off the back of the ensuing 5-metre scrum. Barrett’s conversion put the visitors in front 31-24.   Two minutes later replacement Canterbury first five-eighth Richie Mo'unga chased up his own kick, turned over the ball, regathers possession and scored again. Barrett missed his first kick of the day, but Canterbury now held a 12-point lead with 10 minutes to play.  

Whitelock was back in the game, holding up Taranaki flaner Brown over the line. But Taranaki scored off the next set-piece play through fullback Stephen Perofeta. He couldn’t convert his own try from a handy position as Canterbury led 36-29.  

Taranaki attacked again, but Canterbury regained field position, won a scrum penalty and Barrett kicked the penalty, extending their lead to 39-29.  

It wasn’t over yet though, replacement Taranaki loose forward Toa Halafihi charging through to score to close the gap to 39-34 in the shadows of fulltime. 

Canterbury 39 (Luke Whitelock 2, Jack Stratton, Jordie Barrett, Richie Mo'unga tries; Barrett 2 pens, 4 cons)
Taranaki 34 (Rhys Marshall, Iopu Iopu-Aso, Stephen Perofeta, Toa Halafihi tries; Marty McKenzie 4 pens, con). HT: 17-18